Based on your experience in this field, what would you highlight as the most significant advances in women’s health in Europe in recent years and which areas still need greater attention?
Across Europe, we have seen growing recognition that women’s health is a core determinant of societal wellbeing.
In Portugal, there has been important progress in strengthening women’s health pathways – particularly through expanded capacity in gynaecology and reproductive health services, improved access to contraception, and the development of more structured referral routes for endometriosis and menopause care. These steps have begun to reduce delays and create greater clarity for women navigating different stages of the health system.
Similarly, in Ireland, the expansion of the Free Contraception Scheme has significantly widened access to effective contraceptive methods, especially long‑acting reversible contraception, which previously carried higher costs for many women.
The Nordic countries continue to demonstrate leadership in prevention, digital innovation and public health, including large‑scale research on the impact of menopause on quality of life and work capacity. This has helped to anchor women’s health as an economic and workforce issue that requires system‑wide attention.
Despite these advances, key gaps persist. Diagnostic delays for conditions like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome remain widespread. Access to menopause care and fertility support varies greatly between regions. Many women still experience fragmented journeys between primary care, specialist services and community support. These challenges are common across Europe, including in Portugal, where regional variation in waiting times continues to influence outcomes.
What is clear is that progress is uneven. To build systems that respond to women’s real lived experiences, women’s health must be viewed holistically – encompassing physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. To truly advance women’s health, we must embed a life‑course perspective into policy, ensure that transitions between services are seamless, and close the gap between awareness and action.
What are the key obstacles that still need to be addressed to advance women’s health in Europe?
There is no shortage of ambition across Europe when it comes to women’s health, but fragmentation limits impact. I serve as Commercial Lead for eight different countries at Organon and, to varying degrees, women’s healthcare services are fragmented in each. Women face a patchwork of clinical pathways, especially in areas like menopause, fertility, postpartum recovery and chronic gynaecological conditions. These gaps slow diagnosis, create uncertainty and lead to unnecessary suffering.
Another obstacle is the lack of consistent preventive communication. Organon recently commissioned a survey which shows this clearly. Working with IPSOS, we asked 4,000 adults across seven European countries about their cardiovascular health so that we could better understand prevention approaches. Although 70% of people said they feel informed about cardiovascular health, a significant proportion of women had never discussed it with a healthcare professional. Furthermore, many women who live with conditions associated with increased cardiovascular risk were not aware of the connection. Even more concerning, among women who experienced pregnancy complications – a well‑established predictor of later cardiovascular disease – nearly two thirds were never informed of the potential long‑term implications. These findings reveal missed prevention opportunities during key stages throughout women’s lives.
Finally, we must continue addressing research and data gaps. Research, attention and investment have long favoured men’s healthcare needs, perpetuating gender biases in drug development. Women are under‑represented in many clinical trials, and sex‑specific data is inconsistently collected or used. When it is studied, women’s health is far too narrowly defined, often seen ‘just’ as reproductive health. Organon adopts a holistic approach, addressing women’s health across all life stages, recognising the interconnection between various health conditions. Without comprehensive evidence and a holistic approach, systems will struggle to deliver tailored, equitable care for women.
Resolving these obstacles requires sustained investment, stronger pathways, and a commitment to embedding a gender lens at every stage of the health journey. The policy momentum is there – the challenge now is implementation.
In your view, how might closer collaboration between decision-makers, healthcare professionals, industry, and women as citizens contribute to advancing women’s health outcomes?
Collaboration is one of the strongest accelerators of progress in women’s health. Across the countries I oversee, the most meaningful improvements have come when policymakers, clinicians, researchers, community organisations and industry partners work together with a shared purpose.
True collaboration also means elevating women’s voices. Whether in reproductive health, menopause, mental wellbeing or chronic conditions, women consistently tell us they want clearer information, earlier intervention and care that recognises the full complexity of their lives. Cross‑sector partnerships can help translate this into practice by aligning clinical expertise with policy design, data insights and public health communication.
Ultimately, advancing women’s health requires a culture of shared responsibility. When different parts of the system move together – guided by evidence and shaped by women’s experiences – care becomes more consistent, more equitable and more responsive to women’s needs across every stage of life.
Marking International Women’s Day on 8 March, what message would you like to share with women across Europe about their health, wellbeing, and future care?
On International Women’s Day, my message to women across Europe is rooted in a simple truth: your health is your power. Too often, women place their own wellbeing behind the needs of families, workplaces and communities. Yet when women look after their health – physical, emotional and mental – everything around them becomes stronger.
This year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” speaks deeply to me. It reminds us that when we share our stories, our experiences and our reflections, we create connection and understanding. Women’s health is multidimensional. By talking openly about our journeys – whether related to reproductive health, fertility, menopause, mental wellbeing or a chronic condition – we help to break down stigma and ensure that others feel less alone.
We see across all countries how critical it is for women to have access to timely, compassionate information. Whether navigating the demands of early motherhood, seeking clarity on symptoms that have long been dismissed, or trying to understand the changes of menopause, women deserve health systems that listen, respond and empower.
At Organon, we honour this day by giving all our founders a paid day off – a moment to pause, reflect, rest or take action for one’s wellbeing. It is a small but meaningful gesture rooted in our belief that women’s health should never be an afterthought. It is also an invitation: use this time in the way that serves you best – whether that means catching up on rest, reconnecting with loved ones, booking an appointment you’ve delayed, or simply giving yourself space to breathe.
To every woman reading this: prioritise your health. Ask questions. Trust your intuition. Seek care without apology. And know that you deserve systems that recognise the full value of your wellbeing.
“Her Health, Her Power” is not just a slogan. It is a call to action – for women, for healthcare leaders, for policymakers, and for all of us working to build a more equitable future.
